How to Visit Bhutan in 2026: Follow the 9 Steps

This small and ancient Himalayan kingdom is a must-visit for anyone who loves natural, historic, and architectural tourism. Nestled in the skirts of the Tibetan Plateau and between India, Nepal, China, and Bangladesh, Bhutan is a gorgeous mountainous paradise in the heart of East Asia.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the 10 essential things you need to know before visiting Bhutan and the steps you need to take beforehand to make your Bhutan visit as enjoyable and memorable as possible.

Step 1: Can I Visit Bhutan Now without Any Restrictions?

Everyone is free to visit Bhutan nowadays, however, there are some hoops to jump through as tourists are only allowed inside the country if they are on certain pre-planned and pre-paid package tours with certain approved travel agencies.

Individual tourists just driving up to the country’s border aren’t allowed unless they are passport-holding citizens of India, Bangladesh, or the Maldives.

So, can you visit Bhutan “now” as in “today”? Technically – no, unless you’ve pre-planned your visit months in advance. However, you can visit Bhutan “now” as in “nowadays/soon” if you start planning your trip today. In general, it’s advised to start planning and prepping 3-4 months in advance so that you can get everything in order ahead of time.

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Step 2: Is It Safe to Visit Bhutan?

Bhutan is considered quite safe in terms of both civil unrest and crime even though, infamously, there was some civil unrest in the early 1990s. Nowadays that’s not the case, however, and crime is very low largely thanks to the Buddhist culture in the country and the non-violence Buddhism preaches. We know that’s the case because Bhutan doesn’t really rely on oversized police forces like many other countries – people just commit fewer crimes there.

Petty crime and drug use are occasionally reported but not in particularly significant numbers. So, while tourists are obviously advised to keep their belongings safe, there isn’t any elevated risk in Bhutan compared to other countries – in fact, the country is safer than most!

One thing to be wary of, however, is driving, especially on highways during the monsoon season when the weather can make car accidents more likely. Observing the speed limit and always having adequate insurance is a must. Plus, tourists that want to drive are required to get temporary authorization too.

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Tour Route: Paro - Thimphu - Punakha & Wangdue - Thimphu - Paro

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Step 3: What travel documents are required to visit Bhutan?

If you don’t have a passport from India, Bangladesh, or the Maldives, you will need to get a Visa to travel to Bhutan. The Visa must be processed through Bhutan’s online system by your tour operator and it must be approved by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

This process is pretty standard in and of itself. The only tricky part is not the Visa itself but booking the trip with the right tour operator. With Tibet Vista, you can drastically simplify the whole process as we can organize all the planning, help you with the Bhutan permit application, take care of all the tour arrangements, and ensure the best possible sightseeing and tourist experience.

A valid passport is required for Bhutan Visa application.

Step 4: How much does it cost to visit Bhutan?

As Bhutan’s monarchy controls the country’s tourism quite tightly, there are certain requirements tourists must comply with, chief among which is the “Minimum Daily Package”. This is a daily minimum cost applied by the government to the tour operators and their tourists, and it can’t be negotiated.

This package does cover a lot, however – all accommodations, transportation, meals, porters, and guides inside Bhutan are covered by this package and don’t need to be paid for out of pocket.

The exact cost of this package can vary depending on the season and the size of the group, and it also changes over time. - Tell us your Bhutan tour plan here.

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Tour Route: Paro - Thimphu - Punakha & Wangdue - Thimphu - Paro

Price from USD p.p

Step 5. When is the best time to visit Bhutan?

The best time to visit Bhutan is typically during the spring or fall months. That’s when most of the must-see festivals are such as the Paro Tshechu Festival and the Ura Yakchoe Festival at the Ura Valley in the spring or the Black-Necked Crane Festival, Thimphu Tshechu Festival, and Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival in the fall.

Visit Bhutan in Fall and experience the Thimphu Tshechu Festival.

Spring and fall are also when Bhutan’s nature is best experienced, both because of the lovely colors of blooming or reddening trees and because of the nicely balanced weather that’s perfect for hiking.

Still, winter and summer in Bhutan are not without their charm too. Visiting the country in those months doesn’t just mean a more manageable budget but also gives you the chance to see some seasonal sights such as the Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu Festivals in the winter or the Sakteng Festival in June.

Step 6. How to get to Bhutan? Which is the easiest way?

The two main ways to travel to Bhutan are:

Through the international airport in Paro which is about an hour away by car from the capital Thimphu. The two national airlines flying to Paro at the moment are Bhutan Airlines and Drukair. Contact points that can lead to Paro include Bangcock in Thailand, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Yangoon in Myanmar, Kolkata and New Dehli in India, Kathmandu in Nepal, and Singapore. - Find the detailed 2024 & 2025 flight schedules to Bhutan here.

By car from India through the border crossings in Jaigaon-Phuentsholing, Gelephu, or Samdrup Jongkhar.

Paro International Airport is the only airport for international tourists entering Bhutan.

Step 7. What are the must-see places in Bhutan?

Bhutan may be small in size but it has more fascinating tourist destinations than most bigger countries. Historic, cultural, and natural must-see sights can be found in virtually every part of the country, from the capital Thimphu to remote rural areas.

Paro, for example, is the foremost tourist destination in Bhutan for its gorgeous mountain sights, historical Buddhist monasteries, and much more. Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest monastery) is here as are the Ugyen Peli Palace, the Pelri Goemba monastery, and much more.

Don't miss an exploration in Thimphu Valley.

The capital Thimphu is also a tourist destination no one should skip. Resting in the higher Himalayan ranges, Thimphu offers fantastical sights, gorgeous verdant forests, beautiful rivers, the Motithang Takin Preserve, as well as numerous cultural sights such as Memorial Chorten, Buddha Dordenma, the Clock Tower Square, the Dechencholing Palace, and more.

Other must-see destinations in Bhutan include Punakha, Trongsa, Phobjikha, Jakar, Wangdue Phodrang, and much more.

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Step 8: What to pack? Do I have to pack a lot?

Bhutan is a mountain country with four distinct seasons, so, the first thing to consider is when you are going to be visiting. Going in the late fall and winter will require different clothes and prep than going in late spring and summer.

There is also quite a bit of day/night temperature variation so it’s smart to have some all-weather clothes regardless, as well as hand warmers, thick socks, and so on. Packing sunscreen & sunglasses is always advisable as is getting hiking boots, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper.

Packing sunscreen & sunglasses and Trekking to Tiger’s Nest monastery.

Having cash on hand is also good as the ATMs aren’t as numerous as they are in other countries. The currencies used in Bhutan are Bhutan’s Ngultrum (BTN) and the Indian Rupee. And, of course, remember to free up your camera’s storage as there are lots of things to photograph.

Do keep in mind that some clothing choices aren’t allowed in Bhutan, however, and you shouldn’t bring them with you. These include short skirts flip-flops, t-shirts (indoors), and jackets wrapped around your waist. In general, your clothing is expected to cover your legs and arms. Umbrellas, hats, and shorts are especially not allowed in temples.

Step 9: Accommodation and dining tips for visiting Bhutan

Homestay is by far the most preferred accommodation in Bhutan as homestays offer fantastic and very spacious rooms as well as excellent homemade food. Plus, this is a great way to connect with the locals and experience Bhutan’s culture.

If homestay is not your thing, Bhutan has a lot of great 5-star and other hotels to stay in as well as countless renowned restaurants and bars. Bhutan cuisine is especially well-known for its use of beef, pork, chicken, goat, and yak, however, as this is a Buddhist culture, Bhutan cuisine also features a large assortment of vegetarian dishes.

Bhutan homestay excellent homemade food.

In terms of beverages, the must-try local drinks include rice wine, cereal grain beer, and butter tea. Overall, the food in Bhutan draws a lot of influence from both Chinese and Indian cuisines.

When dining outside, it’s best to stick to the local, continental, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. When shopping for souvenirs and gifts, it’s great to focus on handmade items, however, don’t try to get antiques as exporting genuine antiques is prohibited.

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Conclusion

Naturally, there are a lot of other things to say about this unique country even though it’s quite small compared to other places with its population of just about 700,000 people. As an incredibly old, gorgeous, and storied culture, Bhutan has a lot to offer to tourists, as long as they are prepared and willing to respect Bhutan’s laws and customs.